Letter to all parents explaining the new procedure for absences using mobile phones

July 2008



Dear Parent/Guardian

Re: New Absence Procedures from September 2008

Our school has decided to install a new communication system that will automatically send a text message to a mobile or landline phone number to let you know if your child is marked absent at registration. This will ensure that the reason for their absence is known as soon as possible and alert you if your child is not in school when they should be. In addition this system will be used to contact you, where necessary, with updates about in-school events.

By introducing this service our school is able to reassure you that we are meeting the Government’s recommendations by contacting you on the first day of your child’s absence. It will also provide an early warning system should your child not arrive at school. As always, your child’s safety is our main concern.

You will have already supplied the school with contact telephone numbers. However, if your home, mobile or work telephone numbers have changed recently, I would be grateful if you could provide the new numbers on the form overleaf. You may also provide a contact email address. Please note that these should be contact numbers for parents and guardians only. We do not require emergency contact telephone numbers.

I trust that you will appreciate the advantages this offers us in ensuring the safety of our young people and enhancing communication between school and home.

Your child will automatically be included using our existing information. Please contact me at the school to discuss this further if this new system raises any issues for you.

Yours sincerely





Haydn Stride
Headteacher